halt
halt — verb
1. to stop moving, operating, or progressing — either temporarily or permanently, a
to stop moving, operating, or progressing — either temporarily or permanently, and whether by choice or because of an outside force.
The train halted suddenly when a deer ran across the tracks.
intransitive: sudden stop due to obstacle
The company halted production after the factory flooded.
transitive: halt + direct object (production/work/operations)
Rafael halted mid-sentence when he saw his boss enter the room.
The football match was halted by heavy rain in the second half.
The city halted the parade because of the approaching storm.
文法句型
halt + object (transitive)
halt (no object — intransitive)
be halted by + agent (passive)
用法筆記
More abrupt and decisive than 'stop' — suggests a complete end to movement or action rather than a gradual slow-down. The transitive pattern (someone halts something) is slightly more common in formal writing; the intransitive pattern (something halts on its own) works well for vehicles and machinery.
常見錯誤
halt — noun
1. a point or period when movement, activity, or a process stops, often temporarily
a point or period when movement, activity, or a process stops, often temporarily.
The bus came to a halt at the red light outside the park.
collocation: come to a halt
Work on the building ground to a halt when the scaffolding collapsed.
collocation: grind to a halt (slow, difficult stop)
Camila brought the car to a halt just inches from the dog.
The school board meeting came to a halt when the fire alarm went off.
- stop
the most common noun for a pause in movement; less specific about suddenness than 'halt'
- standstill
emphasizes a complete lack of movement, often in a negative context (traffic, business)
- pause
a brief, temporary stop; shorter and lighter than 'halt'
- continuation
the act of keeping something going without stopping
- resumption
formal; the act of starting again after a break
文法句型
come to a halt
bring [something] to a halt
grind to a halt
call a halt
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed phrases. 'Come to a halt' describes a natural or gradual stop. 'Grind to a halt' emphasizes a slow, difficult stop, usually because of a problem. 'Bring something to a halt' implies that someone or something caused the stop.
常見錯誤
2. an official order or decision that stops an activity permanently or prevents it
an official order or decision that stops an activity permanently or prevents it from continuing further.
The mayor called a halt to the construction project after safety concerns emerged.
collocation: call a halt to [something]
Health officials put a halt to the sale of the contaminated medicine.
The judge ordered a halt to all further interviews until the investigation was complete.
International pressure forced the government to call a halt to the nuclear testing program.
- continuation
the act of keeping something going
- resumption
formal; starting again after a break
文法句型
call a halt to [something]
put a halt to [something]
order a halt to [something]
用法筆記
Almost always used in fixed phrases with 'call a halt to', 'put a halt to', or 'order a halt to'. The subject is typically an authority figure or institution — a government, judge, mayor, or regulatory body. This sense is not used for physical movement; it applies to ongoing activities, processes, or programs.
常見錯誤
halt — adjective
1. walking unevenly or with difficulty because of an injury or problem affecting on
walking unevenly or with difficulty because of an injury or problem affecting one leg or foot.
The old horse was halt and could no longer pull the cart.
archaic usage: be halt
The wounded soldier dragged his halt leg across the muddy field.
In medieval villages, the halt often gathered near the market to beg.
A sailor recalled a sea captain with a halt gait who never missed a voyage.
文法句型
be halt
a halt + noun
the halt (as plural noun)
用法筆記
This sense is now very rare in modern English except in historical or literary texts. In everyday conversation, 'lame' (which can sound offensive when applied to people) or 'limping' is used instead. The phrase 'the halt' was once used as a collective noun for people with disabilities, similar to 'the blind' or 'the deaf,' but this is now considered outdated and potentially offensive.